Itinerary

• From: Pick up at Hostel
• To: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes; Back to Cuzco
• Departure time: 06:00 am
• Returning time: 20:30 - 21:00 pm

Inca trail Brief: Our guide will meet you at your hostel/hotel 1 or 2 days prior to your departure date at 6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. Please let us know where you are staying and at what time you would like to meet our guide for your brief.

Trek Summary

A spectacularly rich experience in the Andean mountains and Inca culture awaits you!  4 days of trekking, 50 kilometers through the heart of the Andes, the only trek to take you along the the original Inca Trail, an authentic hand-built stone footpath where you will walk in the footsteps of ancient Inca royalty and enter Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at sunrise for awe-inspiring views as the ancient Incas did a thousand years ago.  Climb from 2,380 meters to 4,210 meters at Dead Woman's Pass, then pass through unforgettably beautiful jungle scenery and hidden labyrinth-style ruins to reach the most spectacular Inca archaeological site in South America at sunrise.

Summary

Day 1: Hostel Pick-Up at 6:00am. Please make all of the necessary preparations one day prior to the trek. You will be taken by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will have an hour to eat breakfast and purchase last minute snacks, water and walking sticks. A good hot breakfast will give you energy to start the Inca Trail off on a good foot. Then you will hop back on the bus to KM 82 where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin. Hike along rolling hills in the Urubamba River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way. Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m) around 17:00pm. (11 km trek; 6 hour duration).
A good hot breakfast will give you energy to start the Inca Trail off on a good foot.  Then you will hop back on the bus to KM 82 where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin.  Hike along rolling hills in the Urubamba River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way.  Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m) around 17:00pm.  (14 km trek; 6 hour duration).
    

Day 2:

Today is the most challenging day along the trail with a vertical hike of approximately 5 hours to reach Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m followed by a 2 hour hike down stone steps to reach Pacaymayo camp at 3,600 m.  You will begin with a 5:30 am wake-up call with hot coca-leaf tea in your tent.  After packing up and eating breakfast at 6:00 am you will start off for the big hike.
Take your time and rest as much as you feel necessary as you ascent more than 1,200 meters over the course of the morning. Don't miss awe-inspiring views of the valley as you reach the pass and remember to take your photograph at the top!  Just after you cross Dead Woman's Pass you will be rewarded with spectacular views of nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls.  Stroll slowly down to Pacaymayo Camp (3,660m) to enjoy the scenery.  Arrive in time for lunch and a well-deserved nap to the sounds of the nearby waterfalls and nature.  Then you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the camp before dinner and an early bedtime.  (10 km trek; 7 hour duration).  (It may be possible to rent an extra porter on Days 2 and 3 for approximately 20 usd per day - this can be organized directly with your guide).     
    

Day 3:

An unforgettable journey along ancient Inca stairways, mountain lakes, intriguing archaeological sites and humid jungle scenery awaits you.  Another early start with coca-leaf tea wake-up call at 5:30 am in your tent and breakfast at 6:00 am with get you kick-started for this full day.  Start with a one-hour hike uphill to visit the oval-shaped Pacaymayo archaeological site believed to have been either a crop-storage structure or an Inca military fortress overlooking the valley to control the region.  Continue one hour to Runquracay Pass where you can climb to the tip-top of the mountain for incredible views of surrounding peaks.  Visit 2 more archaeological sites with your guide and have lunch along the way.
 By late afternoon you will reach Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,700m) set above a river valley in a high jungle/ rain forest climate.  Throw down your gear and grab a place in line for the hot-shower that awaits you.  Then stroll over to the lodge and order a (not-so-cheap but well-worth-the-money) cold beer or hot chocolate to enjoy with friends on the balcony looking out over lush green mountains.  After dinner, say a big THANK YOU to your porters and guides.  (14 km, 8 hours duration).
 

Day 4:

A unique and magnificent experience is in the cards for you today.  Wake up before the sun (depending on your guide, between 3:30 - 4:30 am) for breakfast.  Get on the trail before the rest of the groups and hike about an hour to reach Inti-Punku (Sun Gate).  Walking through magical Inti-Punku to glimpse the first sights of Machu Picchu is truly a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable experience.  Then continue down the final length of the trail to reach the wondrous Machu Picchu archaeological complex perched delicately on the top of the sacred Machu Picchu mountain.  You will have time to check your backpacks (bring water, sunblock, sunglasses, hat and sweater or rain poncho with you), grab a quick bite at the snackbar and use the restrooms before re-entering the site with your guide. (7 km; 2 hours duration).
   

MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT

The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America.  Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven't already heard it all during the Inca Trail Trek).  Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure.  When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town.
Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) "discovered" by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary "lost city of the Incas".  Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915.

Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don't miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots:

• Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below.
• Hike up the steep (and sometimes muddy) peak named Wayna Picchu* (45 - 60 minutes) for unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective (you must purchase a ticket before entering the site in order to do the hike - note: there are only about 200 tickets available for the 7:00am and 10:00am entry times to Wayna Picchu.) 
• For 2 other views of the site, walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes).

*If you are coming from the Inca trail, speak with your guide regarding purchasing a ticket for Wayna Picchu since they may sell out early.
   

AGUAS CALIENTES:

Have a delicious lunch at any restaurant you desire and then head over to the hot-springs to soak your sore body in the rejuvenating waters.  There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax.  Visit the local marketplace right next to the train tracks where you can shop until the train whistle blows signaling your return to Ollantaytambo.  From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus for the last section of highway to Cuzco arriving back around 10:30pm.